Demorest Mayor Rick Austin says he will not seek reelection this year. Austin has served as mayor since 2014. Before being elected to that post, he served as a Habersham County commissioner and District 10 State Representative.
In a letter released publicly on August 12, Austin writes: “It has been my distinct honor to serve this county and community for the past twenty years. The four principles of Character, Integrity, Honesty and Truth have always been the heartbeat of my service. It has never been about a title or position.”
Austin did not list a specific reason for his decision but indicates he feels that it’s time.
His letter includes a lengthy list of accomplishments he says he’s proud to have achieved alongside other city officials and department heads.
“We’ve worked together to transform our city from near economic collapse to economically thriving. We’ve paid down debt by millions while purposefully and strategically increasing our operational reserves to well over a million [dollars]. We have put financial controls in place that have ensured that every penny has been accounted for. We have poised ourselves for economic growth by expanding our sewer services and upgrading our Wastewater facilities to accommodate our needs for the next 50 years. Our Police Department has become the finest in the state under the leadership of Chief Robin Krockum. Our Fire Department, under the direction of Chief Ken Ranalli, was transformed from a part-time/volunteer department to a full-time department with one of the lowest ISO ratings in the county. Our Water Department, led by Bryan Popham, has grown our system and replaced and repaired our infrastructure to ensure our ability to continually provide first-class water and service to our customers.
Most importantly, these feats have been accomplished while reducing the millage rate each and every year since I took office.”
READ Mayor Rick Austin’s full letter here
While Austin acknowledges that his leadership style and approach have not always been popular, he says, for him, “it has always been about identifying and solving problems for those I have served.”
“Each and every day has been focused to produce tangible results that centered on process improvement and team development…all to ensure that I have served our residents and community with honor. That singular goal has been extraordinarily successful,” he says.
The embattled mayor who is currently embroiled in three lawsuits involving the city and Piedmont College credits the town’s “great employees” and former city council members for their roles in moving Demorest forward.
“It would not have been possible without the leadership, dedication, and forward thinking of our previous Council members. And it certainly would not have been possible without the legal and financial expertise of Joey Homans and Joely Mixon.”
The current Demorest City Council, comprised of Nathan Davis, Ed Hendrix, Jim Welborn, and Shawn Allen, voted 3-1 not to reappoint Homans and Mixon at the start of this year. Allen was the lone dissenting vote.
Since Welborn’s election last fall, he, Davis, and Hendrix have built a voting block that resulted in the firing of Homans and Mixon. Actions taken by the council have also been cited in the resignations of two planning commission members and Demorest Fire Chief Ken Ranalli.
READ Nancy Adams’ resignation letter
READ Rebecca Shedd’s resignation letter
Ranalli is said to be a possible contender for one of two city council seats up for election this year.
Asked if he plans to run for any other office, Austin won’t commit either way but he does say he intends to continue his public service.
“Service is my heartbeat and I will continue to serve my community and neighbors each and every day.”
Austin still has four and a half months left in office. His term expires on December 31.
Municipal elections are scheduled for November 2. Qualifying opens on August 16 and ends at noon on August 20.
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